Bruce Ralph Leaf

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of Bruce Leaf.  He was born January 30, 1956.  He spent his first few years in Boise, before his parents Olive (Roberts) and Ralph Leaf moved to Lake Fork where he lived growing up.  Unfortunately, he had Cerebral Palsy, so his first session at the Shriners Hospital in Utah occurred when he was only three years old, followed by several more visits over the years.  A gentleman heard that there was a young boy who could benefit from the Shriners Hospital.  He was a Shriner and volunteered to sponsor Bruce.  Later, Bruce’s father Ralph, paid it forward by becoming a Shrine Sponsor as well.  When his sister Susan began first grade, no more baby sitters, so Bruce just went with his parents over to the Lake Fork Merc. and literally grew up with the Lake Fork community and the store.  An important part of his early life, in addition to the store, was going down to the ranch to “help” his uncle Bill.  Bruce was educated in the Donnelly-McCall school system and soon after receiving his diploma, was hired on with the Forest Service in McCall.  Bruce was a dedicated worker, retiring in December 2012 after 37 years of service. He was a kind and caring man who was always willing to help out as best he could. Bruce was a member of the Masons, Shriners, and the NRA. He married his wife Sherry on June 7, 1997, and together would have shared 20 years of marriage this next June.  He is survived by his loving wife Sherry and her Daughter Mary Moore, and Mary’s sons Justin, Gerrick, and Robert Willhide and Nova, granddaughter Kamie, mother Olive, sister Susan (Bill) Albin and their Children Josh, Garret, and Megan; and numerous cousins and their families. Bruce was preceded in death by his father Ralph, Sherry’s daughter Ilene, Ilene's son Fred, and Mary’s son Noah.  Funeral services will be held at the LDS Church on Elo Road. south of McCall Wednesday January 4, 2017 at 1:00 P.M., followed by a committal at the Finnish Cemetery south on Farm-to-Market Road.  All friends and relatives are welcome to attend the funeral services.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Finn Church Pavilion Fund, 12 Knob Hill, McCall, ID. 83638.  Arrangements are under the direction of Heikkila Funeral Chapel, McCall.